Millersville info please (Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg: fit in, how much, townhouses)

[snowlandcook]

I am a finalist for a job at Millersville University, but after reading posts on this site I am very apprehensive about moving there. Concerns that I'd appreciate feedback on:

1. My spouse is a home designer (20+ years experience). Is there much going on in the construction (new homes) industry in Lancaster County at this time?

2. It sounds as if Lancaster (city) is urban, poor, and minority-populated while the wealthier white folks move to the suburbs. Is that correct? That doesn't sound like a good situation to me. Am I misreading?

3. Is the area (esp Millersville) a welcoming community to "newcomers"? From what I've read on this site, it isn't--and that's kind of scary. We are from Minnesota, where people are very friendly and downright nice. Example--we got 16" of snow on Saturday. We woke up Sunday, expecting a day of shoveling ahead, but found our neighbor had already dug us out with his snowblower--and he wouldn't take a dime for doing it.

4. We are in our 40s, no kids left at home, out-going, liberal-thinkers. We want a nice home in a good (safe, friendly) neighborhood. We drive small, older (1987 and 1997) vehicles and I don't think we are considered "uppity." We enjoy playing cards, watching movies, taking in a concert or play, gardening (flowers), home improvements (remodeling, updating), and riding bikes (pedal, not motor). Would we fit in?

5. Speaking of bikes--is Millersville (and surrounding area) bicycle friendly? Are there bike (and/or walking) paths (away from the lane of traffic) that a person can use for safe, non-motorized commuting to/from work?

6. Last, how bad are taxes? What would a person typically pay in taxes (in or around Millersville) on a 4 bdrm 2 bath home (kids come home for weekends and holidays)--maybe around 2250 sf?

Thanks for your insight and help.

[jackooboy]

The city has a higher percentage of non-whites than the rest of the county. It is a popular home for many Puerto Ricans and other Latinos. In 2000, 24.34% of Lancaster residents were of Puerto Rican ancestry. This was the highest percentage Puerto Rican of any place in Pennsylvania. The city of Lancaster celebrates its Hispanic heritage once every year with the Puerto Rican Festival, which is in its 27th year[12]. There is a concentration of Amish farms east of the city and in that area horse-drawn buggies are commonly seen. In addition, the town is stereotypically associated with the Amish, as Lancaster has the highest concentration of Amish in the United States[13].

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 56,348 people, 20,933 households, and 12,162 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,940.0/km² (7,616.5/mi²). There were 23,024 housing units at an average density of 1,201.3/km² (3,112.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.55% White, 14.09% African American, 0.44% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 17.44% from other races, and 3.94% from two or more races. 30.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,933 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,770, and the median income for a family was $34,623. Males had a median income of $27,833 versus $21,862 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,955. 21.2% of the population and 17.9% of families were below the poverty line. 29.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

[snowlandcook]

Umm, stats are interesting, but I'm looking for personal opinions. I've already read the stats at the main city-data site.

Originally Posted by jackooboy

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 56,348 people, 20,933 households, and 12,162 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,940.0/km² (7,616.5/mi²). There were 23,024 housing units at an average density of 1,201.3/km² (3,112.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.55% White, 14.09% African American, 0.44% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 17.44% from other races, and 3.94% from two or more races. 30.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,933 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,770, and the median income for a family was $34,623. Males had a median income of $27,833 versus $21,862 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,955. 21.2% of the population and 17.9% of families were below the poverty line. 29.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

[snowlandcook]

Can someone help me out please?

[btsadley]

1. Yes, Lancaster county is sprawling. The city is declined but the area is booming.

2. Lancaster is like any other older declining city. It is still large enough to have some cultural attractions. However; most of the middle class left the city and visit/work the downtown.

3. Its difficult to say whether or not its welcoming. It's certainly not hostile and millersville is a good ten minutes away. BTW, what position are you a finalist for? The university hosts its own activities and culture.

4. Its a small college town on the outskirts of a larger city. Its generally rural in millersville. Still, its a college town. Is there any in which older, liberal-minded types won't fit in?

5. The town is based around a college. It is bicycle friendly. The county is full of amish. If they can use their horses you can use a bike.

6. You'll have to look the taxes up for the specific district. They shouldn't be unreasonably high.

[snowlandcook]

Info on last post was useful--thanks. I'm a finalist for a faculty position in the English Dept at Millersville University.

What other towns (besides Millersville) should we be looking at for a home (to buy)? What's close to Millersville?

Also, how long does it take to get to Boston from Millersville? Is there a train that runs the distance? I ask b/c we have family that lives in Boston and it would be fun to visit them.

[btsadley]

Originally Posted by snowlandcook

Info on last post was useful--thanks. I'm a finalist for a faculty position in the English Dept at Millersville University.

What other towns (besides Millersville) should we be looking at for a home (to buy)? What's close to Millersville?

Also, how long does it take to get to Boston from Millersville? Is there a train that runs the distance? I ask b/c we have family that lives in Boston and it would be fun to visit them.

I'll ask around on some nice living areas around Millersville (I'm from HBG). How close would you like to be within campus?

There is a train station in Lancaster, from there its about an hour to Philadelphia. Boston is accessible from Lancaster by AMTRAK.

[snowlandcook]

Originally Posted by btsadley

I'll ask around on some nice living areas around Millersville (I'm from HBG). How close would you like to be within campus?

There is a train station in Lancaster, from there its about an hour to Philadelphia. Boston is accessible from Lancaster by AMTRAK.

What's "HBG"?

Although I would prefer to ride my bike or walk to/from work, I would be willing to drive up to 15 miles each way. Are car pools big out there?

[Dawne]

HBG is Harrisburg.

[jackooboy]

What type of housing are you looking for... price range? Style? Wooded? On a golf course?

When you visit Millersville... you will go down George Street... George Street is filled with big old houses. If you want something as big but on a less busy street and closer to lancaster city take a 5 to 10 minute drive into Lancaster Township... Check out Maple Ave. Atkins Ave. Spencer Ave. etc. (you can find what i'm talking about on map quest). If you want new housing... you can get nice townhouses and single houses in crossgates which is within walking distance of the university (go out shenk's lane, it is to the rear of the SMAC). Um... you could also check out Springdale Farms which is within walking distance of campus as well... you go west out Charolette St. Millersville is nearly 100% residential... so there is most likely something you'll like... just drive around...

If you want to escape the possibility of living next to college kids you'll have to outprice them or live 10 min away...

1. There is tons of new construction going on all over the county.

2. South Lancaster is what most people refer to as a ghetto... It doesn't rival north philly... but as Lancaster goes it is trashy. North Lancaster and West Lancaster are actually pretty nice and are really seeing multi million dollar investments...

3. I think it depends on who you ask... I have never had a problem in Millersville... of course I lived there for 18 years of my life... It's probably going to be a culture shock... my family is originally from Minnesota and my grandmother (the one who originally settled here) loves it here though she goes home every year to visit.

4. You'll be fine.

5. PennDOT sucks... that's the first thing most people realize when they come here... Bike paths aren't so abundant (nonexistant in 95% of the county)... you may want to live south or west of Lancaster where it is more rural and there is less traffic because congestion can be attrocious... I know they have a "plan" for such trails/park system, but it is by far not comprehensive and I would not ride my bike on the main roads. (roads tend to be more narrow out here due to the early settlement)... there is also a feeling that cars should dominate... not bicycles or pedestrians... I remember thinking how foreign it was when I lived in Alexandria MN for a summer and the people would slam on their brakes when they had a green light to let me cross on foot.

6. How much are you looking at spending... I don't know what the milage rate is since I don't own property there... I know property tax is the main way the School District is funded (Penn Manor SD, one of the best in the county), the local borough is funded this way too I'm 80% sure.